Southbound Tri-State closed after tanker crash, acid leak

A tanker that turned over on the Tri-State Tollway this morning, causing a small acid leak and requiring the road be closed. WGN-TV

A tanker that turned over on the Tri-State Tollway this morning, causing a small acid leak and requiring the road be closed. WGN-TV

Staff report

The southbound Tri-State Tollway was closed south of 95th Street in Bridgeview after a van caused a tanker truck carrying what was believed to be hydrochloric acid to turn over on its side, police said.

Althouth the leak on the tanker is slow, all southbound lanes were being diverted at 95th Street this afternoon following the crash about 11:45 a.m., said State Police District 15 Sgt. Ed Petrik. Northbound traffic had been reduced to two lanes near the crash, but only one lane remained closed this evening.

Crews began draining the tanker about 5 p.m., and it was expected to be cleared sometime after 7 p.m., State Police said.

Cleanup following had been expected to lead to "extended" closures in the area, Petrik said earlier.

The van apparently was trying to pull onto or off of a ramp north of the Cicero Avenue exit in Alsip when it pulled into the tanker's lane and the truck turned over, Petrik said.

The driver of the truck and the van both suffered minor injuries and refused transport to the hospital.

A hazardous materials response team was dispatched to the scene, Petrik said.